Koelreuteria paniculata
| Koelreuteria paniculata | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 33' |
| Width: | 33' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Koelreuteria paniculata (common name: golden rain tree) is a small open-branching and irregularly-shaped deciduous tree.
Propagation: The seed requires a period of cold stratification. It is probably best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[1]. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water. If it swells up then sow it in a cold frame. If it does not swell then soak it for a further 24 hours in hot water prior to sowing. This should cause the seed to swell but, should this fail, scarification (taking care not to damage the seed embryo) followed by a further 24 hours in warm water should do the trick[2]. Germination is usually good[3], though the seedlings are very variable[1]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving the plants some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors[3].
Root cuttings, 4cm taken in December. Plant horizontally in individual pots in a warm greenhouse[3].
Cultivation: Succeeds in any good loamy soil[4][5] and in dry soils. Prefers a sunny sheltered position[4][5]. A wind resistant plant, but it does not like salt-laden winds[1]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[1].
This species is hardy to about -10°c when fully dormant[1], though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts.
Grows best in areas with long hot summers, it is fast growing in such conditions[1]. A short-lived tree[5].
A good bee plant[6].
Plants are susceptible to coral spot fungus, especially if the wood is not properly ripened due to insufficient summer heat[5]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[1].
Range: E. Asia - N. China. Naturalized in Japan and S. Europe.
Habitat: Found by sea-shores in Japan[7]. Grows on plains and in secondary forest on poor soils in China[1].
Edibility: Berries - roasted[8][9].
Leaves and young shoots - cooked[8][10][9][11].
Medicinal: The flowers are ophthalmic[12][13]. They are used in the treatment of conjunctivitis and epiphora[13].
Usage: A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers.[14][15][12].
A black dye is obtained from the leaves[12].
The seeds are used as beads in necklaces etc[14][15][12].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
Pollution: Tolerates environmental pollution.
Seed Ripens: Early Fall-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ McMillan-Browse, Philip. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books, 1985.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association, 1981.
- ↑ Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Read, Bernard. Famine Foods Listed in the Chiu Huang Pen Ts'ao. Taipei Southern Materials Centre, 1977.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Stuart, George. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei Southern Materials Centre.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.